Plant Of The Year
GNPS initiated its Plant of the Year program in 2000. The purpose of this program is to recognize native plants that are underutilized in commercial and residential landscapes or which are vital components of Georgia’s ecology. We are looking beyond beauty, even though this is what often draws us to a special native plant in the first place.
Every fall, GNPS members nominate a plant they feel is deserving of being Plant of the Year for the upcoming year. Besides being native to the state of Georgia and underutilized in landscaping, a good candidate for Plant of the Year will not demand growing conditions that are too difficult for most Georgia gardeners to achieve. A slate of candidates are presented to the GNPS membership to vote on and the winner is showcased in the educational content, plant sales and on a custom-designed shirt.
Plant of The Year
Nomination #4: Purpletop
Scientific name: Tridens flavus Common name: Purpletop Family: Poaceae Plant type: Grass Purpletop (Tridens flavus) is aptly named for its striking reddish purple seedheads, bright splashes of color to catch the eye. The warm season bunchgrass grows in clusters of...
Nomination #3: Little bluestem
Scientific name: Schizachyrium scoparium Common name: Little bluestem Family: Poaceae Plant type: Grass Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium; formerly Andropogon scoparius) is a warm-season perennial bunchgrass with attractive foliage. Blue-green in spring and...
Nomination #2: Jewelweed
Scientific name: Impatiens capensis Common name: Jewelweed Family: Balsaminaceae Plant type: Annual Impatiens capensis (jewelweed) is native to stream banks and moist woodlands throughout the eastern US and Canada. Its vibrant orange flowers provide bright splashes of...
Nomination #1: Fringetree
Scientific name: Chionanthus virginicus Common name: Fringetree Family: Oleaceae Plant type: Tree In springtime, fringetree, or Grancy greybeard (Chionanthus virginicus) is festooned with unique and highly aromatic flowers. Individual petals are long and thin, like...
Plant of the Year 2021 Voting
Watch this page, where nominations for the 2021 Plant of the Year will appear soon, with directions for voting to follow.
